Any one quit smoking successfully?...help!

PammyJay91

I've been a smoker for a long time now. I started smoking at a very young age, way too young, in fact. I have tried to quit cold turkey about 4 years ago, and it worked for 3 months, then ...somehow, my addiction got the best of me. I've also tried the electronic cigarette and that didn't work either. I think what I really need is your opinion, and your success stories. I think hearing about other people journeys will motivate and inspire me. So, any advice will be greatly appreciated.

cjc166

My weakness is social smoking. Being around smokers makes me want to smoke. If I'm not around smokers, I don't care. Everyone's weakness is a little different. Smoking the occasional cig with friends is way better than smoking a pack a day.

yo_andi

I've been a smoker for a long time now. I started smoking at a very young age, way too young, in fact. I have tried to quit cold turkey about 4 years ago, and it worked for 3 months, then ...somehow, my addiction got the best of me. I've also tried the electronic cigarette and that didn't work either. I think what I really need is your opinion, and your success stories. I think hearing about other people journeys will motivate and inspire me. So, any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I smoked for 10 years. I smoked while being active and fit for all ten years, Including one full season of playing college soccer (not advisable), six rugby union seasons and one Aussie Rules football season. I did Tough Mudders, rebel races, warrior dashes, half marathons, 5K's, 10K's, Turkey Trots. I didn't *think* it affected me for any of that time.

Then, in February of this year I quit cold turkey. I was just ready, I guess. Since I quit I've realized exactly how much smoking was affecting me.

Since quitting smoking I have:

- shaved a full two minutes off my mile time
- finally started losing the fat around my waist
- finally finished a full two hour Aussie Rules training without needing my inhaler
- finally gotten really solid sleep (when I smoked I woke up throughout the night. I thought I was just a poor sleeper, turns out it was the nicotine, who knew?!)
- not woken up feeling totally crummy once after a night out despite amount of alcohol consumed
- not wheezed going up the four flights of stairs going up to my fourth floor walk-up apartment (when I smoked, I thought it was weird that someone as "fit" as I was was still wheezing going up stairs)
- found other, more productive ways to deal with stress
- made new connections with my fitness enthusiast friends because I no longer felt like I needed to hide my dirty little secret from them

The list goes on.You need to quit, and yes, you can. It's simultaneously the hardest and easiest thing you will ever do. Are you ready for the key ingredient in this though? You have to want it. You have to want to be smoke free for good. You have to want it more than anything you've ever wanted. You have to realize exactly what smoking is. It's a filthy nasty crutch of a habit that's impeding your growth, both fitness-wise and as a human being, every time you light up. You can do it girl! I believe in you.

beckie4442

Yes I have.

I am in my 11th week. I have smoked since I was 11 I am now 33, so 2/3 of my life. I have tried to quit cold turkey numerous times over the years without success this time I have taken the tablets Champix, I have had no ill effects and no physical cravings I can't beleive it's so easy....... I'm amazed.

I'm not particularly fit but what has happened is;

- I can breathe deeply
- I can laugh/yawn without coughing
- I can run upstairs without feeling like my hearts about to explode or I'm going to pass out
- I don't smell horrible anymore
- My muscles can't keep up with my breathing rather than the other way round.

However the down side is I've put back on 14 lbs in 11 weeks. This is not because I am replacing ciggerettes with food. I was sort of concentrating on the smoking aspect and ate and drank what I liked and didn't keep up my exercise, not really thinking about weight gain.
Now I am off the tablets I'm getting back on the horse.

SO, you CAN do it anytime you want, though I would suggest going to a smoking ceaseation clinic. Good luck if you'd like some other support you're welcome to friend me. :flowerforyou:

PammyJay91

My weakness is social smoking. Being around smokers makes me want to smoke. If I'm not around smokers, I don't care. Everyone's weakness is a little different. Smoking the occasional cig with friends is way better than smoking a pack a day.

That is so much better, and i completely agree. The problem is everyone i know smokes. i can't get away from it. So for me i would still be smoking all the time. I guess I just have to be a hermit for a few weeks haha

PammyJay91

I've been a smoker for a long time now. I started smoking at a very young age, way too young, in fact. I have tried to quit cold turkey about 4 years ago, and it worked for 3 months, then ...somehow, my addiction got the best of me. I've also tried the electronic cigarette and that didn't work either. I think what I really need is your opinion, and your success stories. I think hearing about other people journeys will motivate and inspire me. So, any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I smoked for 10 years. I smoked while being active and fit for all ten years, Including one full season of playing college soccer (not advisable), six rugby union seasons and one Aussie Rules football season. I did Tough Mudders, rebel races, warrior dashes, half marathons, 5K's, 10K's, Turkey Trots. I didn't *think* it affected me for any of that time.

Then, in February of this year I quit cold turkey. I was just ready, I guess. Since I quit I've realized exactly how much smoking was affecting me.

Since quitting smoking I have:

- shaved a full two minutes off my mile time
- finally started losing the fat around my waist
- finally finished a full two hour Aussie Rules training without needing my inhaler
- finally gotten really solid sleep (when I smoked I woke up throughout the night. I thought I was just a poor sleeper, turns out it was the nicotine, who knew?!)
- not woken up feeling totally crummy once after a night out despite amount of alcohol consumed
- not wheezed going up the four flights of stairs going up to my fourth floor walk-up apartment (when I smoked, I thought it was weird that someone as "fit" as I was was still wheezing going up stairs)
- found other, more productive ways to deal with stress
- made new connections with my fitness enthusiast friends because I no longer felt like I needed to hide my dirty little secret from them

The list goes on.You need to quit, and yes, you can. It's simultaneously the hardest and easiest thing you will ever do. Are you ready for the key ingredient in this though? You have to want it. You have to want to be smoke free for good. You have to want it more than anything you've ever wanted. You have to realize exactly what smoking is. It's a filthy nasty crutch of a habit that's impeding your growth, both fitness-wise and as a human being, every time you light up. You can do it girl! I believe in you.

wow! I'm happy that you quit and feel better now:) the thing that stuck out to me the most was the fact you lost more weight afterwards. This is what i want to do. The main reason I want to quit is because I know I cannot be healthy with smoking. I have lost 10 pounds, but it's taking me a lot longer to do because I just cannot find the motivation to exercise like i know i should. When i originally quit, i started boxing and running everyday, and the pounds just fell off. Now i just have to push myself back to that state of mind. Thank you for your help<3

cici1028

I haven't yet but I'm planning to try... again! We can do it!

PammyJay91

Yes I have.

I am in my 11th week. I have smoked since I was 11 I am now 33, so 2/3 of my life. I have tried to quit cold turkey numerous times over the years without success this time I have taken the tablets Champix, I have had no ill effects and no physical cravings I can't beleive it's so easy....... I'm amazed.

I'm not particularly fit but what has happened is;

- I can breathe deeply
- I can laugh/yawn without coughing
- I can run upstairs without feeling like my hearts about to explode or I'm going to pass out
- I don't smell horrible anymore
- My muscles can't keep up with my breathing rather than the other way round.

However the down side is I've put back on 14 lbs in 11 weeks. This is not because I am replacing ciggerettes with food. I was sort of concentrating on the smoking aspect and ate and drank what I liked and didn't keep up my exercise, not really thinking about weight gain.
Now I am off the tablets I'm getting back on the horse.

SO, you CAN do it anytime you want, though I would suggest going to a smoking ceaseation clinic. Good luck if you'd like some other support you're welcome to friend me. :flowerforyou:

ahh, I share your pain on that one. I started at the age of 12. Every one told me to stop, but hey, well you know how it goes... :noway: It is so good to hear all of your replies. It is really helpful to talk to people that have already went through the struggle of quiting. Some people have such a powerful mindset and can just stop at any time. This is not the case for me, as well as the people who posted. So if you can do it, I can do it:) Thank you very much and best of wishes to you. Here's to a new beginning :drinker:

asirak87

I haven't had a cigarette in like two weeks and although I really dont want one...... I have seriously seen an dramatic increase in my cravings for sweets... :-(

PammyJay91

I haven't yet but I'm planning to try... again! We can do it!

Yes we can!

elexichoccyeater

I am a very heavy smoker and looking to give up very soon... You can chum me if you want xxxx

Mad4bullies

I smoked a pack a day from age 16 to 29. I decided to quit before I turned 30 and went on Welbutrin to assist me quitting. I could not imagine my life without a cigarette in my hand. And now, 3 years later, I do get an urge once in a while, usually when I am out drinking with friends... But I remember how hard it was to become smoke free and just can't start that habit again...

I started jogging the same day I quit smoking.

You can do it. Just take it one minute at a time. The urge will pass.

Good luck!

coe28

I'm also trying to quit.....again. The only thing I have ever had any luck with is Chantix. It was wonderful! I quit for 5 months, had no cravings, hated the smell of smoke, and felt amazing, BUT as soon as I finished the Chantix I went right back to smoking like I had never quit. That was my 3rd round of Chantix and I have the same result every time.

I'm getting desperate, my son is almost 3 and is starting to ask questions about my cigarettes and my smoking and telling me I'm stinky when I come back in from having one. I REALLY want to quit, but my cravings get the best of me every time

MadtownMadisonian

I quit about 4 1/2 years ago after smoking for most of the previous 35 years. Two things helped. First my doctor told me I was showing some signs of kidney stress due to high blood pressure, which scared the heck out of me, so I tossed my cigarettes at the end of that call. But then I kept off the cigs because, unlike previous times when I felt I was depriving myself by not smoking, this time somehow I felt like I had liberated myself from smoking. I was so so happy to be a non-smoker and when cravings hit, instead of resenting the fact that I couldn't smoke, I resented the cravings instead, as they were interfering with my joy at being a nonsmoker.

So it was all in the attitude change.

As to the cravings - they lasted for several weeks rather frequently. For the first week, I spent all my evenings with friends so I wouldn't be home alone. I also listened to "quit smoking, breathe deeply" relaxation tapes at night or when on flights for work. And, believe it or not, I *sang* songs to get through the cravings - just singing out loud (if alone) or under my breath would keep me busy until the craving passed.

I hope something magical happens to you too, to make it easier to quit. It feels incredibly good once you have. Looking back, I feel like every cigarette I smoked was just making me crave the next one. It never satisfied the craving - it only set me up for another craving in the near future. It was chaining me and I wanted to be free.

amymichelle1226

I've never been a smoker, my husband is though and I understand it's hard to quit. I do tobacco prevention for a living and I just attended a conference last week and learned so much! I know it'll be hard but it's the best thing for you to quit! For soooo many reasons. It's not worth it! You can do this!! I've heard Chantix really works if you are having a difficult time! Good luck, I know you'll feel so much better if you quit! Plus you'll have a lot more money to spend on new clothes!

sapabt

I started smoking in 1972, I had to be one of the "cool" kids. I finally quit for good in 1996. I tried the gum, patches, counseling, etc, nothing worked for me. I finally got tired of wheezing when I went upstairs at home, and quit cold turkey.

It was hard, my sister told me I got pretty cranky during the first 3-4 weeks of quitting.

The best part of quitting? All the bennies mentioned by the others here, plus I can now play a full 18 holes of gold without having to stop every other hole.

Good luck!

Cheers,
bt

mschmalfuss

When trying cold turkey after many years of smoking I always hit a wall at about 3-5 days. On Chantix I was good for about 6 months and then a poker party did me in. I'm now at just over 2 years having used the patch.

I did the first week wearing both a Step 1 patch and a Step 3 patch. That got me over the hardest part. After the first week I went to just the Step 1 patches for 6 weeks or so and then a month each of Step 2 and Step 3. It is longer than I think the plan calls for (56 days?) but it is still better and cheaper than smoking.

It took a few months before I quit getting an urge to smoke at the mere sight of others smoking but it wasn't too hard to get past and now I hardly ever think about it even when around people smoking.

dahoffman72

Like many of the people here I smoked for about 30 years. While smoking I was a member of the military, and climbed mountains many above 20,000 feet; I never would admit I could have done more and better had I not smoked. I decided to quit when cigarettes began costing about $3.00 a pack. This was my main motivator, I was not going to spend that kind of money to kill myself. That was in Nov. 1999, since then I have not had a cigarette, nor any craving, I knew it was time to quit and it was easy. So I have (in 1999 dollars and costs) saved over $14,000, and my health is better than ever. For the first couple months avoiding all the normal triggers, Morning coffee, alcohol, and friends who smoke was hard, but running the stairs in my office everytime I wanted a smoke helped defray the urges. I guess my bottom line was when I decided it was what I really wanted to do it was not that hard, just have to stick it out and constantly remind yourself your a non smoker, and stick to your story. Good Luck you can do it.

bexxxster

I smoked for 9 years and I got myself an electronic cigarette to help me quit. I've not had a cigarette for 7 weeks today! Not sure what else you could try if that didn't work for you though!

drewbird911

I used the patch, I found it helpful, but kinda like quiting twice. Once the habit of smoking, and second the drug nictoine, but it worked so I can't complain. Good luck with it, it is worth it.

PRMinx

I've been trying to quit for a while, too. I tend to chain smoke when I'm drinking, but when I'm sober I can't stand cigarettes. Weird, I know.

Anyway, I've been going through a rough patch and it's gotten out of hand. I woke up this morning thinking, "this has got to stop." Ill send you a friend request - maybe we can help each other.

ambitious01

I smoked for 25 years. I quit smoking 3 years ago (almost 4 now). I was tired of paying the extra taxes and losing rights. Regardless, I had to go into the hospital to have my thyroid removed and was in there for 2 days. That was a head start and I ran with it. Gum was my crutch for a long time.

sarahsaur

I smoked for 10 years and I quit cold turkey 4 1/2 years ago. I quit because my mom was diagnosed with COPD and I couldn't imagine seeing myself in her position, struggling for breath and hooked up to oxygen constantly. It was definitely a wake-up call. She was prescribed Chantix which helped her quit. I still have dreams that I smoke, but I always wake up and think, "I have beat this for almost five years, I can't ever go back." One thing that really helped me quit was completely cleaning my house and washing all my clothes. If you smoke inside, you never really realize how much it smells until after you quit. I can't even stand the smell of cigarettes now and I hate when people smoke around me. It's so disgusting. Just take it one day at a time and pretty soon 1 day will turn into 1 year! You can totally do it!

grkpetalouda

when i was younger, i was totally against smoking of any kinds. after a really bad break up (my first relationship), i picked up smoking. i haven't smoked in a month and a half so far. i feel better, i'm able to breathe easier and i've saved some money too! (woo hoo!) honestly, it's hard, especially on days like outings to a bar or something (i was more of a social smoker than a loner smoker). but honestly, i remind myself of the benefits of NOT smoking and that helps kick the habit easier.. hope i helped ya out a little.

suemar74

I smoked for almost twenty years. Tried to quit a number of times for various reasons, and I couldn't. Tried to quit using various methods, and I couldn't...until three years ago. That's when I read "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking".

To be honest, I don't know why it worked, but it did. I quit cold turkey and I refuse to ever let the addiction get the best of me again.

Yes, I gained weight. But to be honest, I was already overweight when I quit. The difference is now I have a greater lung capacity and I can push myself harder when I run and workout...and I WILL lose the weight.

If I quit smoking, I can do anything

jojo52610

I smoked for 28 years I started when I was 13 - I haven't smoked since Jan 2006 I read Alan Carr The Easy Way to Quit Smoking (twice) and I used the patch (which the book said don't do) and I don't miss it one single bit. To me it's a relief I will never need to worry if I have enough Cigs or how I'm going to be able smoke when I travel for business.

If I can do it anyone can. I didn't even gain any weight from smoking

Last month I went for a routine Cat Scan and they said I have the beginning stages of Emphysema in the top part of my lungs - so thank goodness I quit when I did.

Good Luck!

BrewerFan2

I smoked for over 20 years as well. I quit a little over 2 years ago. I wasn't my first time quitting, it was my last time quitting smoking though. I tried everything, including Chantix which I found out I was allergic too. It seems that Chantix has the Sulfa drug in it that I'm highly allergic too that my doctor at the time didn't catch. Anyway, I was really sick at the time and couldn't hardly breath and decided to just not smoke for a few days to give my body a rest and it just kind of started from there. After a few days it kind of turned into a game to see how long I could go and after a week I gave my cig making stuff to my hubby and had him hide it. I was cranky for a couple of weeks and almost gave up a few times, but I also started walking within a couple of weeks also and started feeling pretty good both mentally and physically too. The best part is I didn't gain any weight when I quit smoking, the bad part is is that I also couldn't drink coffee for about 6 months either. But, eventually coffee did start tasting good about 7 months later. yay!!
I'm not going to lie, it's not easy, but it's worth it in the long run.

PammyJay91

I'm also trying to quit.....again. The only thing I have ever had any luck with is Chantix. It was wonderful! I quit for 5 months, had no cravings, hated the smell of smoke, and felt amazing, BUT as soon as I finished the Chantix I went right back to smoking like I had never quit. That was my 3rd round of Chantix and I have the same result every time.

I'm getting desperate, my son is almost 3 and is starting to ask questions about my cigarettes and my smoking and telling me I'm stinky when I come back in from having one. I REALLY want to quit, but my cravings get the best of me every time

This sounds like me! I have quit before, and next thing I know, I start back up like I never stopped to begin with.
It's definitely a long journey, but it is also a journey that is worth it. The benefits outweigh the negatives. We can do this! You are welcome to friend me so we can support each other.

DBiddle69

I smoked off and for about 21 years...more on the last 10 years....the problem was I was 26 when I quit cold turnkey. Yes, my brother and I stole cigarettes and lighters when we were really little and would sneak off and smoke them.

I stopped cold turkey 22 years ago and have not looked back. I tried a few times before but nothing helped. My biggest vice was the car....every time I got into the car I would light up…the other thing is my wife still smokes. The weekend I quit we had to travel 10 hours…with her smoking in the car. However, it did not bother me. So, I am one of the lucky ones and was able to do it cold turkey.

The bad part of it is this is when I started my weight gain. Everything in the cupboard had to be in my hands and eating it!

My wife tried hypnosis once…I don’t recall how long it helped but she was good for a while. I think her returning to smoking was peer pressure because everyone at work smoked and kept begging her to join them instead of encouraging her to quit.

The day I quit was on New Year’s Day 1990...I woke up late because we were out the night before. I started to watch college football games...next thing I knew it was six hours later and I had not even picked up a smoke...so I decided to see just how long I could go without one. A week later I decided to see what it was about smoking I liked so I light one up....took two hits off of it and got sicker than a dog and have never touched another since!

BrianSharpe

I smoked a pack a day for almost twenty years. Watching my mother dying from lung cancer (she'd smoked all her life) at 65 was all it took to get me to quit cold turkey a little over 20 years ago. I know I'm going to die of something sometime but smoking related illnesses/premature deaths are, by and large, preventable.

PammyJay91

I smoked for over 20 years as well. I quit a little over 2 years ago. I wasn't my first time quitting, it was my last time quitting smoking though. I tried everything, including Chantix which I found out I was allergic too. It seems that Chantix has the Sulfa drug in it that I'm highly allergic too that my doctor at the time didn't catch. Anyway, I was really sick at the time and couldn't hardly breath and decided to just not smoke for a few days to give my body a rest and it just kind of started from there. After a few days it kind of turned into a game to see how long I could go and after a week I gave my cig making stuff to my hubby and had him hide it. I was cranky for a couple of weeks and almost gave up a few times, but I also started walking within a couple of weeks also and started feeling pretty good both mentally and physically too. The best part is I didn't gain any weight when I quit smoking, the bad part is is that I also couldn't drink coffee for about 6 months either. But, eventually coffee did start tasting good about 7 months later. yay!!
I'm not going to lie, it's not easy, but it's worth it in the long run.

eek.. I love me some coffee. I'm not a big drinker, so it won't be hard for me to stay away from that. But i adore coffee, and i know that in order to quit I would also have to give that up for quite some time. It will be well worth it in the end though, just like you said. Thank you for sharing your story!:)